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aflatoxins

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aflatoxins

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Also known as aflatoxin

thumb|right|Chemical structure of Aflatoxin B1|aflatoxin B1

AI overview

Aflatoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain molds that can grow on crops like peanuts, corn, and grains, especially in warm and humid conditions. They're a health concern because consuming foods contaminated with aflatoxins can cause serious illness in both humans and animals.

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Commons category
Aflatoxins
median lethal dose (LD50)
5
SMARTS notation
O=[CR1]c1c([CR1][CR1])c2ccc3c(c2oc1=O)C1C~COC1O3
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10 sections
Contents
  • Major types and their metabolites
  • Occurrence
  • Prevention
  • Pathology
  • In other animals
  • Detection in humans
  • Timeline and list of outbreaks
  • See also
  • References
  • External links

thumb|right|Chemical structure of Aflatoxin B1|aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxins are various poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain molds, especially Aspergillus species such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. According to the USDA, "They are probably the best known and most intensively researched mycotoxins in the world." The fungi grow in soil, decaying vegetation and various staple foodstuffs and commodities such as hay, maize (corn), peanuts, coffee, wheat, millet, sorghum, cassava, rice, chili peppers, cottonseed, tree nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and various cereal grains and oil seeds. They have been found in both pet and human foods, as well as in feedstocks for agricultural animals. Animals fed contaminated food can pass aflatoxin transformation products into milk, milk products, and meat. For example, contaminated poultry feed is the suspected source of aflatoxin-contaminated chicken meat and eggs in Pakistan.

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